WESTPORT PERJURY CASE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2253, 27 July 1908, Page 2

WESTPORT PERJURY CASE.

FRESH EVIDENCE. A STARTLING DEVELOPAIENT. [Punas Association.] WESTPORT, July 25. There was a. further sensational development in tbo Connelly perjury case this morning. Air. AlacDonald', solicitor for the, prosecution, obtained tho Court’s permission to call anothor witness, Johanna Phillips, a widow, a member of the Salvation Army for 20 years, who stated that, on the night of Bourke’s murder she saw two men, a young fellow and a big mall, coining across the street from Price’s corner towards tho shod (where Boutko was subsequently found dying). She saw a scuffle, saw the smaller man of tho two strike a match, and saw Airs. Alaria Peak (who had previously described to seeing Connolly assaulting Bourke) standing in tho street, but did not speak to her. Witness had not told her story before because her health was bad. Sho sometimes bad fainting fits. Knew Halinen and Andersen wore innocent of.the murder, and thought there was enough evidence, and as he bad never been in Court before she did not think she could get-through the trial. Tlie only notable point arising from the crossexamination was that the witness identified a' young man who took a hot bottle to the shed after the discovery of the body as the man who was previously with tho big man, whoreas Hannan, tho voting man carrying the hot wator bottle, was a witness. Air. Alurray, the Alagistrato, practically struck out six of the thirteen counts, of perjury, but ruled there was a case to answer covering the main charge that- Connelly committed perjury in swearing that Halinen and Andersen killed Bourke. "Accused pleaded not guilty. Air, Hannan intimated that he would call evidence for tho defence. One witness was examined, and tho Court adjourned till Alonday.